By Juan Markos
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11/14/23 – I saw Baby Foot at Rogue Machine upstairs at the Henry Murray Stage in the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles California, on November 11, 2023, written and directed by Tim Venable.
The play stars Daniel Dorr as Blackie, Hope Lauren as Alexis, and Paul DeBoy as Fred, Alexis, and Blackie meet on Alexis’ last day of a ninety-day rehab stint, Blackie is on day one. The two go back and forth trying to get to know each other, their chemistry seems off at first, Alexis is trying to explain to Blackie how much she has evolved after completing the ninety-day program, but it does not seem like they’re getting along, there’s even a moment where she compares their interaction to one of a pedophile and a little girl, it becomes awkward quick. The stage is small, and the performance intimate, it is a behind-closed-doors look at something private, being in rehab, The chemistry quickly changes when Alexis sings a song and plays guitar, she’s a really good singer.
French inventor Lucien Rosengart (1881–1976) came up with the game of table soccer in the 1930s when he was looking for things to keep his grandchildren entertained during the cold winter months. He called the game “baby foot” Alexis explains to Blackie while wasting time, playing the game, she tells blackie when you get one you say baby foot, This tidbit of information later becomes disturbing almost as they end up screaming it at each other, as mentioned the play is intimate and the audience almost part of the stage, the actors walk around blind-sided to the audience but they are literally in your face which adds a lot of the feels I felt, a little too close to comfort maybe.
Fred, (Paul Deboy) the rehab worker although so much happens between the two actors is unphased by it all, although his role is small it’s important, I wasn’t sure if the scene was how the theater looked till the end when Fred is finishing up painting a wall, I realized the whole thing was intentional.
Baby Foot Runs till November 20, 2023, at Rogue Machine upstairs at the Henry Murray Stage in the Matrix Theatre 7657 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90462 for tickets or information please visit https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/
Photos by Jeff Lorch
